Lodging Cut from Medicaid Patients

The Medicaid program for the poor had paid up to $80 a day for rooms and $20 a day for food when overnight stays were medically necessary. But as of this month, the benefit was restricted to children under age 21 and a parent or guardian. State officials say they eliminated the subsidy for adults because lodging is not required under federal law. The change was made by scaling back a Medicaid contract that pays for rides to the doctor. Some Medicaid patients, however, say the cut only adds to their worries.